Sex: The Detroit Zoo is home to three female giant anteaters: Chesley, 16; Raya, 13; and Bissell, 4.

Type: Mammal.

Home: Central and South America.

Diet: Ants, termites, insect eggs and larvae.

Advertisement

Average life span in the wild: 14 years.

Length: Up to 7 feet from tip of snout to end of tail.

Weight: The giant anteater is the largest of the four anteater species, weighing up to 140 pounds.

Birth: A single offspring is born after about 190 days of gestation. The offspring is a perfect miniature of its parents. Giant anteaters have a strong maternal bond, and the mother sometimes carries its baby on her back, until the youngster reaches an age of 9 months.

Now you know: The giant anteater has several unique adaptive features related to finding and eating insects. They have poor eyesight, but instead use their extremely well-developed sense of smell to locate food. They use their sharp claws to tear apart termite and ant nests (but never destroy them completely) and then use their long snout and tongue Ė which can extend nearly two feet -- to access the insects. Giant anteaters have no teeth. Before swallowing, they crush insects against their palate. The anteaterís stomach is similar to a birdís gizzard, and uses small amounts of grit to help grind the insects. Giant anteaters are excellent swimmers, using their long snout as a snorkel.

Protection status: Not an endangered species, but considered vulnerable due to habitat loss and hunting by humans. Predators include jaguars and cougars. A giant anteater can be fierce when cornered, rising up on its hind legs, using its tail for balance, and defending itself with its four-inch claws.